Policy Text
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Sheriff’s Awards and Commendations Program
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Awards and Commendations Program honors
Department employees for exceptional or meritorious conduct, as well as honoring
civilians who have assisted this department.
I. General
It is the duty of every employee of supervisory rank to report to their divisio n
commander any acts worthy of commendation involving employees of the Sheriff’s
Office to ensure that each employee involved in an incident is duly noted for award
consideration.
II. Commendation Report Process
A. Supervisor
1. Completes the Commendation Report form to make official record
of the commendable act by an employee. Form 7400 -113 entitled
“Commendation Report ” form is a fill -in document in a PDF format.
(Please access the Commendation Report form using the SSDWeb
Employee Resources Department Forms/M anuals .)
2. For multiple commendations, a separate Commendation Report
shall be completed for each person with a single copy of any
applicable documentation.
B. Division Commander
1. Reviews each Commendation Report pertaining to the employee(s)
under the ir command, for approval or denial. If approved the
commander shall forward the report to the appropriate Chief
Deputy.
If denied , the commander shall provide feedback to the supervisor who
authored the commendation report as to the reason for the denial.
2. Responsible for ensuring all employees involved in the
commendable situation are identified and duly recognized in the
repor t. The Commendation Report shall be submitted within one
year of the date of the incident or commendable act.
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C. Chief Deputy
1. Reviews each Commendation Report pertaining to the employee(s)
under their commander and, if approved forwards the report t o the
Awards and Commendations C ommittee Chairperson. If denied the
Chief Deputy should provide the Division C ommander with the
appropriate feedback to inform the submitting supervisor of the
reason for the denial.
D. Awards and Commendations Committee Ch airperson
1. Receives Commendation Reports from the respective C hief
Deputy, tracks the progress of the package and notifies the
submitting Division Commander of changes in status.
E. Awards and Commendations Committee
1. Meets quarterly (at a minimum) to review pending Commendation
Reports.
2. Reviews all pertinent information and interviews personnel as
appropriate prior to submitting an award recommendation.
F. Awards Committee Chairperson
1. Submits the revi ewed commendation reports to each member of
Executive Staff for review and comment.
2. Reports are scheduled for final approval by Executive Staff then
forwarded to the Media Bureau.
3. Forwards recommendations for the award of Unit Citation and/or
Major Incident ribbon to the Sheriff for review and approval.
G. Media Bureau
1. Ensures preparation of awards and appropriate ceremonies.
2. Prepares notification letters for each award recipient and
appropriate division commander.
III. Awards a nd Commendations Committee
A. The purpose of the Awards and Commendat ions committee is to review
Commendation Reports and recommend to Executive Staff the
appropriate award considering all factors related to the events and
employee actions.
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B. The Awards and Commendations Committee shall be chaired by the
Assistant to the Undersheriff. Members shall include:
1. Representatives of each service area and contract city.
2. The Media Bureau.
3. A Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (SCDSA)
representative who is : the President, Vice President, or Business
Agent.
C. Selection Process
1. Members of the committee shall be nominated by their respective
Division Commander via an Inter -Department Correspondence.
2. The selection is reviewed fo r approval by the service area Chief
Deputy and delivered to the committee chairperson.
3. Appointments are made by the Undersheriff.
D. Term of Appointment
1. Members of the committee serve a term of 24 months with terms
ending January 1 or July 1.
2. Vacancies will be filled mid -term as necessary and terms may be
extended at the discretion of the Undersheriff.
IV. Award Categories
A. The following awards are presented to employees whose exemplary
performance or contributions meet the associated criteria. These awards
are recommended by the Awards and Commendations Committee and
issued with the concurrence of Executive Staff.
Please refer to the Gold, Silver, Bronze Star Award Flow Chart attached to
this order for additional information.
1. Ultimate Sacrifice Medal – For death incurred while actively
engaged in law enforcement activity.
2. Medal of Valor (Gold) – For exceptional performa nce and bravery,
at the risk of one’s life, above and beyond the call of duty. To
qualify , the employee must knowingly and willingly engage in
conduct where the possibility of death or great bodily injury to
oneself is imminent.
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3. Silver Star – For outstan ding performance and bravery, at the risk
of injury, in the line of duty. To qualify, the employee must
demonstrate their resolve despite the potential of harm to oneself.
4. Bronze Star – For outstanding performance and bravery in the
line of duty. To qualify, the employee must demonstrate valor
above and beyond the